First-ever European Strategy for Culture
On 10th May 2007, the European Commission a policy statement on the role of culture in a globalising world.
This statement proposes the first-ever European strategy for culture as it affirms the central role of culture in the European integration process. It proposes a cultural agenda for Europe, and for its relations with third countries.
The adoption of the Communication1 follows an extensive consultation process involving decision-makers and interested parties from all over Europe. The new policy stance, entitled "A European agenda for culture in a globalising world", takes the form of a Commission Communication and is complemented by an accompanying Staff Working Paper2 which describes the many ways in which the European Union supports culture. Both documents have been prepared following an extensive public consultation with stakeholders.
As is pointed out in the introduction, "culture lies at the heart of human development and civilisation. Culture is what makes hope and dream, by stimulating our senses and offering new ways of looking at reality. It is what brings people together, by stirring dialogue and arousing passions, in a way that unites rather than divides. Culture should be regarded as a set of distinctive spiritual and material traits that characterise a society and social group. It embraces literature and arts as well as ways of life, value systems, traditions and beliefs".
The policy statement presents three major objectives that together form a cultural strategy for the European Institutions, the Member States, and the cultural and creative sector:
- Promotion of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue;
- Promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy; and
- Promotion of culture as a vital element in the Union's international relations.
At a time when the EU is looking forward to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions3, he Communication also addresses the external dimension of European culture. It recognises the need for a European strategy for culture that is both open to diversity within Europe, and at the same time open to the world.
It thus proposes measures to make culture an even stronger part of political dialogue with partner countries and regions around the world, promoting cultural exchanges and systematically integrating culture in development programmes and projects.
In order to support specific actions in ACP countries, the European Commission is proposing to create an EU-ACP Cultural Fund as a joint European contribution to supporting the distribution, and in some cases the production, of ACP cultural goods. This Fund will encourage the emergence of local markets and industries, and will also increase the access of ACP cultural goods to European markets. he European Commission proposes to allocate a Community contribution to the fund of about EUR 30 million for the period 2007 – 2013, and invites the Member States to contribute to the fund with additional funding.
A fundamental feature of the new policy stance is the proposal to introduce a more structured system of cooperation among the Member States and the EU institutions on cultural matters. The mechanism is based on the 'open method of coordination' (OMC) that has been successfully used to structure the collaboration of Member States and EU in the area of education & training, youth and social protection.
This Communication also seeks to involve the cultural sector – ranging from individual artists and performers to the creative and cultural industries - more closely in European affairs. It therefore seeks to introduce improved structures for dialogue and partnership with these stakeholders through a new "Cultural Forum".
The European strategy for culture will be complemented by other actions by the EU in the area of culture, such as the forthcoming European Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008.
Further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/index_en.html
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/communication/comm_en.html
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/dialogue/year2008/year2008_en.html
1Communication on a European Agenda for Culture in a Globalising World. SEC (2007) 570. Brussels, 10.5.2007 COM(2007) 242 final. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, to the Council, the to the European Social and Economic Committee and to the Committee of the Regions.
2See MEMO 07/180
3See MEMO 06/500
